The spermatogenesis of ichthyophis glutinosus (Linn.)

Summary The primary spermatocytes which are the products of division of the spermatogonia embark on the prophase of the first division after a brief period of rest. The leptotene filaments are formed soon after and the polar orientation of the filaments results in a leptotene bouquet. Parallel conjugation of the leptotene filaments gives rise to the thicker pachytene threads, the conjugation beginning at the proximal pole. When the fusion between the apposing filaments is more or less intimate, the polarisation is lost and immediately after, splits appear along the threads at intervals, giving rise to the diplotene stage. The diplotene is followed by a pronounced and conspicuous diffuse stage where all individuality of the chromosomes is temporarily lost, the nucleus itself becoming a faintly staining reticulum, in its greatest development. Soon, the chromosomes emerge from the diffuse mass and the bivalents which now appear more or less clear, twist about each other giving rise to the strepsinema. A condensation and contraction of the chromosomes give rise to the diakinesis where 21 deeply staining tetrads of different forms are seen arranged peripherally inside the nuclear membrane. The spindle is formed between the centrioles, the nuclear membrane is lost and the tetrads take their place on the spindle. 21 tetrads can be clearly seen in the metaphase plates of the division, the four components of each tetrad being seen clearly for the first time in anaphase. A conspicuous interkinesis separates the first and second divisions, when the nucleus resumes the appearance of a faintly staining network. The second division follows quickly separating each dyad into two monads. 21 dyads are seen in the metaphase plates of this division while 21 monads can be counted in the anaphase plates. The resulting cells are the spermatids.     

Pharmacodynamic studies on Polypodium vulgare (Linn.)

Aqueous extract of the root of P. vulgare (PV) produced CNS depressant effect. It decreased the spontaneous motor activity, prolonged the pentobarbitone induced hypnosis, reduced body temperature and increased the reaction time to pain stimuli. PV also caused prevention against supramaximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. PV showed a positive inotropic and chronotropic effect on perfused frog heart and caused hypotension and tachycardia in anaesthetised dogs. The effects were blocked by propranolol. PV produced dose dependent inhibition of contractions of rabbit small intestine and the effect was blocked by propranolol. PV appears to possess CNS depressant and beta-adrenoceptor agonistic activities.     

Antileishmanial phenylpropanoids from Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd

Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts (100 microg/ml) of Alpinia galanga rhizomes exhibited significant activity in vitro against promastigotes of L. donovani. Twelve compounds namely, methyleugenol (1), p-coumaryl diacetate (2), 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (3), 1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate (4), trans-p-acetoxycinnamyl alcohol (5), trans-3,4-dimethoxycinnamyl alcohol (6), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (7), p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (8), trans-p-coumaryl alcohol (9), galangin (10), trans-p-coumaric acid (11) and galanganol B (12) were isolated from these extracts. Of these, compounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 were found most active in vitro against promastigotes of L. donovani with IC50 values of 39.3, 32.9, 18.9 and 79.9 microM respectively. This is the first report of antileishmanial activity of the extracts and isolated constituents of A. galanga.     

Uebersicht der Formen vonSylvia curruca (Linn.)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Alpha-amylase inhibitors from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) tea

A roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) tea extract was found to have high inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase. Hibiscus acid and its 6-methyl ester were respectively isolated as active principles from the 50% methanol and acetone extracts of roselle tea. The activity of each isolate was compared to that of structurally related citric acid, a previously known inhibitor of fungal alpha-amylase.     

西伯利亚杏的组织培养

1植物名称 西伯利亚杏[Armeniaca sibirica（Linn．）Lam．],别名山杏。 2材料类别 休眠枝条。 3培养条件 基本培养基为MS。（1）诱导培养基：MS＋6-BA1．0mg·L^-1（单位下同）＋IBA0．2;（2）增殖培养基：MS＋6-BA0．8＋IBA0．2;（3）生根培养基：MS＋IBA0．4。     

Effect of onion (Allium cepa Linn.) and garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) on plasma triglyceride content in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonicum)

Dietary onion and garlic caused an increase in the level of plasma triglyceride which could be due to insulin like activity of dietary alliums and other factors that promote lipogenesisi in growing stages. Changes in the plasma triglyceride level in the control group due to change in age and sex were also noted. The triglyceride level was more in female birds when compared to males of similar age group. The plasma trigelyceride level increased with age in both sex except for the level being similar in the 6 and 9-week old females and 3 and 6-week old male birds. The results suggest that the effects of alliums in growing and adult stages may be different which needs further study.     

Development of Leaf Forms in Ipomoea reptans (Linn.) Poir

Development of leaves of two chromosomal biotypes of Ipomoeareptans, one with broad leaves and the other with narrow leaves,was studied. Early development of the ‘narrow’ typeinvolves a rapid multiplication of cells without expansion.This phase is followed by cell enlargement with a negligibleamount of multiplication. In the ‘broad’ type onthe other hand, multiplication and enlargement are simultaneousand proceed slowly, but steadily. The lamina shape of both thebiotypes is primarily related to a difference of cell multiplicationrate in the basal, median and apical parts. Some gradient influencingcell multiplication probably exists from the base to the tipof lamina, the optimum point being in the middle. Maturationand enlargement of cells is basipetal and continuous. The wavynature of the leaf margin is related to a very accurate geometricaladjustment of cell number variation in depressions and mounds,which may be controlled by a product of the lateral veins.     

Nitrate assimilation in Crotalaria juncea (Linn.) pollen suspension culture

In vivo and in vitro activities of nitrate reductase were assayedin Crotalaria juncea pollen suspension cultures. This enzymewas found to be substrate-inducible and enhanced activity wasobserved when it was extracted with cysteine buffer or incubatedwith NADH (0.6 mM) at 25?C or when the germinated pollen grainswere treated with red light for 10 min. Enzymes of ammonia assimilation,glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate synthetase, and also thepentose phosphate-shunt enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase,which catalyzes the step that provides reducing power to thesystem, are described. (Received October 20, 1977; )     

香樟、枸树主茎水分传导能力分布研究

本文从植物生长发育的机理发出,从理论推导出植物主茎传导能力与主茎长度、导管长度的关系式,导管越长,榈传导能力越大,香樟主茎长度大于１８ｃｍ、枸树大于１２ｃｍ时,传导能力随样品长度线笥变化;较知时,传导能力随样品长度的缩短迅速增加,出现短路现象。试验测定了香樟、枸树主茎水分长距离运输的传导能力分布,结果与理论预示的安全一致,表明理论分析是正确可靠的,这一规律具有普遍意义。     

Pharmacology of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) and its therapeutic potentials

The use of plants is as old as the mankind. Natural products are cheap and claimed to be safe. They are also suitable raw material for production of new synthetic agents. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) is a common household plant grown in many parts of the world. It is used for flavouring food, a beverage drink, as well as in cosmetics; in folk.medicine it is used as an antispasmodic in renal colic and dysmenorrhoea, in relieving respiratory disorders and to stimulate growth of hair. Extract of rosemary relaxes smooth muscles of trachea and intestine, and has choleretic, hepatoprotective and antitumerogenic activity. The most important constituents of rosemary are caffeic acid and its derivatives such as rosmarinic acid. These compounds have antioxidant effect. The phenolic compound, rosmarinic acid, obtains one of its phenolic rings from phenylalanine via caffeic acid and the other from tyrosine via dihydroxyphenyl-lactic acid. Relatively large-scale production of rosmarinic acid can be obtained from the cell culture of Coleus blumei Benth when supplied exogenously with phenylalanine and tyrosine. Rosmarinic acid is well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and from the skin. It increases the production of prostaglandin E2 and reduces the production of leukotriene B4 in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and inhibits the complement system. It is concluded that rosemary and its constituents especially caffeic acid derivatives such as rosmarinic acid have a therapeutic potential in treatment or prevention of bronchial asthma, spasmogenic disorders, peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases, hepatotoxicity, atherosclerosis, ischaemic heart disease, cataract, cancer and poor sperm motility.